Loose-leaf binder lock



G. w. BROWNLEE, sR

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER LOCK Dec. 23, 1941.

Filed Jan. 31, 1941 A itqrney Patented Dec. 23, 1941 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER LOCK George W. Brownlee, Sr., Atlanta, Ga., assignor to Ekonomie Binder Company, Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Application January 31, 1941, Serial No. 376,904

1 Claim.

This invention relates to loose leaf binder locks of a generally similar nature to that constituting the subject matter of my Patent No. 2,233,512, dated March 4, 1941, upon which device the present invention constitutes an improvement.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a loose leaf binder lock of the aforementioned character embodying a unique construction and arrangement whereby greater strength, durability and ease of operation are had.

Dther objects of the invention are to provide a loose leaf binder lock of the character described which will be simple in construction, compact, highly efiicient and reliable in use and which may be produced at comparatively low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference des ignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, showing a loose gageable with the ears 8 for preventing withdrawal of the lugs I2 from the notches 9. Projecting from the free ends of the locking dogs II are upwardly inclined tongues I3 which extend through the openings I and which are operable therein. The tongues I3 are integral with the leaf binder equipped with a pair of locks constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the locks on the binder.

Figure 4 is avertical sectional View, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral I designates generally a loose leaf binder which includes a base 2. Rising from the rear marginal portion of the base 2 is a pair of posts 3 of suitable metal. Slidably mounted on the posts 3 is a removable cover 4. The base 2 and the cover 4 are adapted to receive therebetween a stack of loose leaves 5 through which the posts 3 pass.

Rigidly secured on the rear portion of the cover 4 is a pair of elongated metallic plates 6 through which the posts 3 also pass. Rising from the ends of the elongated plates 6 are integral ears 1 and 8. Extending into the ears 'I from the vertical edges thereof are slots or notches 9. The ears 8 have formed therein openings I0.

Mounted for swinging movement on the ears 1 are locking dogs or clutch members II of suitable metal. Projecting from one end of the locking dogs II and integral therewith are spaced lugs or projections I2 which are engaged in the slots or notches 9.

locking dogs I I. The posts 3 pass through openings I4 which are provided therefor in the looking dogs I I.

In use, the leaves 5 are placed on the posts 3 and the cover 4 is mounted thereon. As the cover 4 is slipped downwardly on the posts 3 the locking dogs II tend to swing upwardly toward a substantially horizontal position as they slide on said posts. However, upward pressure on the cover 4 causes the dogs I I to swing downwardly and frictionally grip the posts 3 thereby locking the cover 4 in position. The locking dogs I I are preferably of somewhat harder metal than the posts 3. To remove the cover Iit is only necessary to place the fingers beneath the tongues I3 and lift. Thus, the locking dogs II are swung upwardly for releasing the posts 3 and permitting the cover 4 to be raised. The tongues I3, traveling in the openings I0, function as guides for the free ends of the locking dogs II as well as for lifts for said locking dogs. Still further, when 1 the tongues I3 engage the upper walls of the The free ends of the locking dogs II are ens5 openings Ill they limit the upward swinging movement of the dogs I I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a loose leaf binder lock constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a loose leaf binder of the type including a base, a post rising from said base and'a removable cover slidable on said post, a lock including vertical elements mounted on the cover on opposite sides of the post, one of said elements having side edge slots therein, the other of said elements having an opening therein, a locking dog including lugs on one end engaged in the slots for pivotally mounting said dog on said one element, said dog being slid-able on the post and frictionally engageable therewith for releasably securing the cover against movement in one direction thereon, and a tongue on the free end of the dog operable in the opening in said other element.

GEORGE w. BROWNLEE, SR. 

